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Life Science; Evolution Quiz!

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

What are two signs that different species may have a common ancestor?
a.
similar DNA and similar traits
c.
similar DNA and different traits
b.
different fossils and similar traits
d.
similar fossils and different traits
 

 2. 

Which of the following was NOT a source for Darwin’s ideas about evolution?
a.
characteristics of Galápagos animals
b.
selective breeding by farmers and animal breeders
c.
the ideas and observations of Thomas Malthus and Charles Lyell
d.
scientists’ knowledge of genetic changes
 

 3. 

Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection?
a.
people breeding horses to run faster
b.
bacteria populations becoming resistant to antibiotics
c.
insect populations developing resistance to certain pesticides
d.
male birds of certain species developing colorful feathers to attract female mates
 

 4. 

The process consisting of separation, adaptation, and division is
a.
mating.
c.
resistance.
b.
isolation.
d.
speciation.
 

 5. 

What is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully than less well adapted organisms do?
a.
species separation
c.
genetic change
b.
genetic resistance
d.
natural selection
 

 6. 

Many insects can adapt very quickly to insecticides because
a.
the insects form separate species.
c.
the insects have rigid exoskeletons.
b.
the insects’ generation time is short.
d.
the insects’ genetic structure is stable.
 

 7. 

The process by which populations slowly change over time is called
a.
selective breeding.
c.
speciation.
b.
adaptation.
d.
evolution.
 

 8. 

What process often begins by a portion of a population becoming physically or geographically separated?
a.
speciation
c.
genetic change
b.
selective breeding
d.
resistance
 

 9. 

What process would farmers use to produce vegetables that will grow in a specific climate?
a.
natural selection
c.
selective breeding
b.
evolution
d.
genetic variation
 

 10. 

Which was NOT a source of Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution?
a.
the writings of Thomas Malthus and Charles Lyell
b.
Darwin’s observations of the Galápagos finches
c.
the selective breeding practices of farmers and breeders
d.
scientific discoveries about DNA and genetic changes
 

 11. 

A spider may produce hundreds of eggs, only a few of which may survive. This is an example of
a.
overproduction.
c.
genetic change.
b.
speciation.
d.
division.
 

 12. 

Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection?
a.
elephants passing the tuskless trait to their offspring
b.
male birds developing extremely colorful displays of feathers
c.
insects developing pesticide resistance
d.
dog owners breeding their pets to produce friendlier offspring
 

 13. 

A characteristic that improves an organism’s ability to survive is a(n)
a.
adaptation.
c.
reproduction.
b.
inherited variation.
d.
breeding.
 

 14. 

Darwin could not answer all of the questions regarding his new theory, because he did not know about
a.
adaptation.
c.
reproduction.
b.
inherited variation.
d.
genetics.
 

 15. 

Darwin theorized that individuals having an advantage due to their traits or abilities will be more likely to survive and reproduce. His theory is known as
a.
evolution.
c.
adaptation.
b.
speciation.
d.
natural selection.
 

 16. 

Trace remains of organisms that lived long ago are called what?
a.
adaptations
c.
genetics
b.
fossils
d.
offspring
 

 17. 

What does speciation create?
a.
offspring
c.
a new species
b.
ancestors
d.
resistance
 

 18. 

What can two different species have in common?
a.
populations
c.
individuals
b.
ancestors
d.
offspring
 

 19. 

What did Charles Darwin help to explain?
a.
the age of Earth
c.
how fossils are formed
b.
how species change over time
d.
genetics
 

 20. 

What helps an organism survive in its environment?
a.
adaptation
c.
division
b.
separation
d.
resistance
 

 21. 

What is it called when separated groups of a population cannot mate with each other?
a.
division
c.
resistance
b.
interbreeding
d.
selective breeding
 

 22. 

Which of the following do scientists think was an ancestor of whales?
a.
a large tree
c.
a shark
b.
an ancient fish
d.
an ancient land mammal
 

 23. 

A group of herbivores are separated from their population. (An herbivore is an organism that eats only plant materials.) In the new environment, the only edible vegetation grows at the top of tall trees. Which of the following is a likely physical adaptation that may develop?
a.
striped fur
c.
the ability to swim
b.
a tendency to mate during the summer
d.
a long neck
 

 24. 

Which of the following features did whales possibly inherit from a four-legged ancestor?
a.
legs
c.
gills
b.
hip bones
d.
hind limbs
 

Completion
Complete each statement.
 

 25. 

Species producing more offspring than will survive to maturity is the part of natural selection called ____________________.
 

 

 26. 

Individuals in a population competing for limited resources is the part of natural selection called ____________________.
 

 
 
Use the terms from the following list to complete the sentences below.
genetic codereproduce
well adaptednatural selection
behavioralenvironment
 

 27. 

The theory of natural selection explains how a population changes in response to its ____________________.
 

 

 28. 

If natural selection is taking place, a population will tend to be ____________________ to its environment.
 

 
 
Use the terms from the following list to complete the sentences below. Some terms will not be used.
evolutionselective breeding
offspringfossils
traitselection
speciationnatural selection
resistant 
 

 29. 

Evidence of common ancestors can be found in ____________________ and living organisms.
 

 

 30. 

When an organism with a gene that  helps it survive and reproduce actually reproduces, the process of ____________________ occurs.
 

 
 
Use the terms from the following list to complete the sentences below.
speciespopulation
selective breedingevolution
fossil recordgeneration time
 

 31. 

Slow changes in populations over time are known as _____________________.
 

 

 32. 

Members of a species who live in the same place are a(n) _____________________.
 

 

 33. 

The history of life shown by remains of once-living organisms is the _____________________.
 

 

Short Answer; 1 pt. extra credit.  Write in complete sentences.
 

 34. 

Before the 1800s, people thought that the Earth was much younger than it actually was. How did the discovery of the Earth’s actual age help support Darwin’s theory of evolution?
 

 35. 

Over time, certain frog populations have begun to mate at different times of the year. Because of this, they no longer are able to mate with each other. Are these frogs the same species? Explain you answer.
 

 36. 

What difference did Darwin observe among the different species of Galápagos finches?
 

 37. 

Why are scientists unsure about some parts of the “tree of life” on Earth?
 

Essay; ChOOSE ONE ESSAY QUESTION to answer.  Worth 4pts.  Write in complete sentences for full credit.  Use reasoning from this chapter’s content to support your answer.
 

 38. 

Explain the relationship between competition for mates and natural selection.
 

 39. 

Imagine that you have two male frogs that appear similar but have very different markings. What could you look at to help you decide if the frogs’ ancestors once belonged to the same species?
 

 40. 

Scientists and physicians have growing concerns that modern medicines and chemicals will create varieties of bacteria and pests that are ever more difficult to destroy. Explain the process by which this could happen.
 

Other
 

 41. 

Use the following terms to complete the concept map below:
ancient mammals            related
adaptations            separation
fossils            species
DNA and traits            whales 
ot041-1.jpg
 



 
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